Elevator apparatus



Oct. 24, 1933'. H. F. SCHMIDT 1,931,997

ELEVATOR APPARATUS Filed April 16. 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet l &

\3 \b Y I w l1 INVENTOR HENRY F. ScHMmT.

:1 TTOR/VE Y ELEVATOR APPARATUS Filed April 16. 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 22mlllillllllllllIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII E 14 4 i L I I :2 22 I I i i l1 14 1 14 1 q i L I A INVENTOR HENRY F. SCHMIDT. 1:1'

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A 'ITORNE Y Oct. 24, 1933. sc 1,931,997

ELEVATOR APPARATUS Filed April 16, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR HENRYF'. ScHMm-r.

A TTORNEY Oct. 24, 1933. H. F. SCHMIDT ,997

ELEVATOR APPARATUS Filed April 16. 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet- 4 INVENTOA ATTORNE V ENRY F. 5 CHMIDT'.

{WHEY Patented Oct. 24, 1933 UNITED STATES 1,931.99) ELEVATOR APPARATUSHenry F. Schmidt, Lansdowne, Pa., assignor. to Westinghouse Electric &Manufacturing Com pany, a corporation of Pennsylvania Application April16, 1932. Serial. No. 605,727

s- Claims. (019187-66) My invention relates to elevator apparatus'andmore particularly to large heavy-duty elevators for use in ships,warehouses, etc.

In general, this type of structure comprises a main platform forcarrying the load and means for raising and lowering the platform, andan auxiliary platform adapted to be raised, when the main platform is inraised position, in order to close, at least partially, the opening. inthe lower floor and thereby prevent accidents and provide additionalmaneuvering space. When the main platform is in lowered position, theauxiliary platform is adapted to be lowered out of the way. It is anobject of this invention to w provide an improved means for securingpredetermined relative movements. of the main and auxiliary platforms. 1v

Heretofore, this type of apparatus has been extremely costly due to theduplication of mechanism required to operate the platforms, and due tothe-complicated character of the apparatus thought necessary for smoothand even operation. It is a further object of this invention to do awaywithv these difficulties anddisadvantages by pro- 5. viding apparatus ofthis character which consists of few parts,,is simple in construction,and

one which may be easily controlled.

According to a preferred embodiment of my invention. Iaccomplish theseobjects by providing main. and auxiliary platforms; in raising andlowering the platform by a fluid under pressure,

preferably from a single source; and in connecting. the platforms byspeed-reducing gearing, so that, when the mainplatform moves thedistance 5v between landings the auxiliary platform only movesaproportionately smaller distance to close, at least. partially, theopening in the lower landing. By reasonof this construction, bothplatforms are controlled froma single point and one 44 mechanism. is allthat is required to raise and lower the elevators the proper distance.Furthermore, as the auxiliary platform moves'only a short distance,little space is required as head roomfor thisplatform. I I

These and. other objects are effected-by my invention as will beapparent from'the following description. and. claims taken in connectionwith the accompanying. drawings, forming a part of this: application, inwhich:

' view through a ship of the airplane-carrier type with.- myimprovementinstalled therein, the section being taken on the line I- I; of Fig. 3,and showing both elevator platforms inraised position; c 3

. Fig. 4 is an enlarged Fig. 1 is a fragmentary transverse sectionalvFig. 2' is an enlarged fragmentary view of the apparatus, shown in Fig.1, the elevator platforms being shown in their lowered position;

- Fig. 3 is'a'n enlarged'hori'zontal sectional view" taken on the lineIIIIII of Fig. 2 and illustrate ing the speed-reducing mechanism forconnecting the platforms; a fragmentary vertical section taken on theline IV'IV of Fig. 3, and illustrating one of the sets of rack andpinion gears for themain platform; and,

Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken on the line V-V'of Fig. 3, the Viewbeing onapproximately the same scale as Fig. 4 and'illustrat'ih one ofthe sets of rack and pinion gearing for the aux- 7o iliary platform.

7 Referring now in detail to the construction. i1- lustrated andparticularly to Figs. 1 and 2, it will be observed that 1 have shown myimprovement as applied. to a ship of the airplane carrier type. 7 Theship is indicated in general by the reference numeral 10 and comprises ahull 11,.a flying deck 12, a storage deck 13, and a plurality of lowerdecks 14. I

The flying deck 12 and storage deck 13' are provided withvertically-aligned openings orhatches 15 and-16, respectively, which arefor accommodating portions of an elevator apparatus indicated-in-generalby the reference numeral 17. The elevator apparatus is for the purposeof transferring airplanes to and: from the storage and flying decks, aswill be readily appreciated. V

The elevator apparatus comprises a main plat.- form ,18 which serves totran'sport the airplanes, and anauxiliary platform 19 which is adaptedto be raised to lie flush with the storage deck 13, whenthe mainplatform is in raised position, for closing at least partially theopening 16 so as to provide additional maneuvering spacefor theairplanes on the storage deck and to prevent, at least to some degree,any. accidents which might occur. The auxiliary platform 19 is adaptedto be lowered out of the way when the main-platform is moved.- to itslowered position. n 7

Means are providedfor raising and-loweringthe platforms simultaneously..This means is preferably hydraulic and is controlled from a singlepoint. V The main platform 18 is .supported'and moved by a plurality of'fluid motors 20, each comprising a vertically-arranged cylinder 21rigidly secured to the ship structure and a piston 22-fitting thecylinder and secured at its upper endtc the underside of the mainplatform 18.

Similarly, the auxiliaryr platform 19 is supported by apluralityoffluid-motors 23, each of which suitable stationary structure 51.

comprises a cylinder 24 carried by the ship structure and a piston 25secured at its upper end to the auxiliary platform. It will be observedthat fluid motors 23 are much shorter than the fluidmotors 20. Thereason for this is, as stated, that for a full movement of the mainplatform, the auxiliary platform moves a relatively shorter distance.

In order to operate the fluid motors 20 and 23, I provide a source offluid under pressure, preferably a motor-driven pump 26, the exhaust ofwhich is connected to a pressure tank 27 by means of a pipe 28 and theintake of which is connected by a pipe 29 to a discharge tank 30. Pipes31 and 32 connect into a manually-operated three-way valve 33 at spacedpoints and serve to connect such valve with the pressure and dischargetanks 27 and 20, respectively. A pipe 34 is also connected to the valve33 and this pipe serves in conjunction with pipes 35 and 36 to connectthe valve with the fluid motors 20 and 23. By a simple manipulation ofthe valve, either the pressure tank 27 or the discharge tank 30 may beconnected with both of the fluid motors 20 and 23, thus providing forsimultaneous up and down. movement of the platforms.

In order to stabilize and prevent tipping of the platforms 18 and 19,during movement thereof, I provide for each platform two or more spacedsets of rack and pinion gearing, the racks being secured to theirrespective platform and the pinions being supported by suitablestationary structure and rigidly connected together for synchronousrotation.

As shown, a pair of racks 3'7 and 38 are pivotally connected at theirupper ends, at spaced points, to the underside of the main platform 18.Pinions 39 and 40 mesh with the racks 3'7 and 38 respectively, and aredisposed within housings 41 and 42, which latter are carried by suitablesupporting structure 43. The pinions 39 and 40 are connected togetherfor synchronous rotation by a shaft 44 extending between and journalledwithin the housings 41 and 42. It will thus be seen that by reason ofthis arrangement of racks, pinions, and shaft, both sides of theplatform can move only in unison, and, therefore, there can be notipping of the platform.

Similarly, a pair of spaced racks 45 and 46 are pivotally connected tothe underside of the auxiliary platform 19 and these racks meshrespectively with idler pinions 4'7 and 48 supported for rotation withinsuitable bearings located in housings 49 and 50. The housings aresupported'by Meshing with the idler pinions 4'7 and 48 and disposedwithin the bearings 49 and 50, respectively, are pinions 52 and 53secured to a common shaft 54 which extends between and is journalledwithin the housings. It will thus be seen that by this means the spacedrack and pinion sets of auxiliary platform are connected together forsynchronous rotation.

An important feature of my improvement is the provision for properproportional movement between the main auxiliary platforms. To this end,the shaft is connected to the shaft 54 by means of a shaft 55, sets ofbevel gears 56, 57, 58 and 59 serving to connect the adjacent ends ofthe shafts (see Figs. 3, a and 5). The bevel gears 56 and -57-aremounted within a housing 60, and the bevel gears 58 and 59 within ahousing 61, these housings being carried by the supporting structures 43and 51, respectively.

The pinions'and gears are so constructed as to provide for a speedreduction between the platforms, that is to say, for each unit distanceof movement of the main platform 18, the auxiliary platform 19 moves aproportionately shorter distance. This is provided for by the differencein size between the pinions 39 and 40 and the pinions 52 and 53 and thedifference in size between the bevel gear 56 and the bevel gear 57. Fora single rotation of the pinions 39 and 40, the bevel gear 56 will alsocomplete a revolution. As the bevel gear 57 is slightly larger than thebevel gear 56, the latter will rotate slightly less than a revolution.The bevel gears 58 and 59 will also rotate slightly less than arevolution, as will the pinions 52 and 53. As the pinions and 53 are ofconsiderably less diameter th n the pinions 39 and 40, a relativelysmall degree of mo. -.ent will be transmitted to the idler pin s7 and 43and racks 45 and 46. The drai are approximately to scale and the gearingis so esigned that for movement of the main platform the completedistance between storage and flying decks which is in the neighborhoodof twenty-six feet, the auxiliary platform will move approximately fivefeet.

From the above, it will be readily seen that l. have provided a simpleand efficiently operating elevator apparatus, the operation of bothplat-- forms being controlled from a single point, and which reason ofthe speed-reducing provides for the proper proportional movement theplatforms. A further advantage is the co 1-- bination of thespeed-reducing connection with the arrangement for preventing thetipping of the platforns, the latter being accomplished by pro-- vidingtwo or more rack and pinion sets for e on platform and in connecting thepinions of each platform for synchronous rotation.

While I have shown my invention in but one form, it will be obvious tothose skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptibleof various changes and modifications without departing from the spiritthereof, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall beplaced thereupon as are imposed by the prior art or as are specificallyset forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In elevator apparatus, the combination. of a movable main platform; amovable a iary platform; means fo' raising and lowering t e platforms;and toothed gearing means pos ely interconnecting the platforms wherebyprovision is made for movement of the platforms in amounts proportionalto the ratio of the gearing.

2. In elevator apparatus, the combination of a movable main platform; amovable auxiliary platform; hydraulic means for raising and lowering theplatforms including a cylinder and a plunger for each platform; andspeed reducing toothed gearing positively connecting the two platformstogether whereby upon movement of the main platform for a certaindistance. the auxiliary platform moves a distance proportionally smallerdependent upon the ratio of the gearing.

3. In elevator apparatus, the combination with a pair ofvertically-spaced floors having vertically-aligned openings; of a mainelevator platform adapted to be raised and lowered to fit within theopenings and thereby lie flush with their respective floors tofacilitate loading and unloading; an auxiliary platform for at leastpartially closing the opening of the lower floor when the main platformis raised, and adapted to be lowered out of way when the main platformdescends and closes the'opening of the lower floor; means effective toraise and lower the platforms independently; and speed reducing meansincluding toothed gearing for positively interconnecting the platforms,whereby, when the main platform is raised and lowered the distancebetween floors;

the auxiliary platform is moved a substantially less distance to itsraised and lowered position dependent upon the ratio of the gearing.

4. In elevator apparatus, the combination with a pair ofvertically-spaced floors having vertically-aligned openings; of a main'elevator platform adapted to be raised and lowered to fit within theopenings and thereby lie flush with their respective floors tofacilitate loading and unloading; an auxiliary platform for at leastpartially closing the opening of the lower floor when the main platformis raised, and adapted to be lowered out of the way when the mainplatform descends and closes the opening of the lower floor; fluidpressure means capable of raising and lowering the platformsindependently; and speedreducing means including toothed gearing forpositively interconnecting the platforms and providing, duringmovement'of the main platform between floors, for the movement of theauxiliary platform a substantially less distance to its raised andlowered position as determined by the ratio of the gearing.

5. In elevator apparatus, the combination with a pair ofvertically-spaced floors having vertically-aligned openings; of a mainelevator platform adapted to be raised and lowered to fit within theopenings and thereby lie flush with their respective floors tofacilitate loading and unloading; an auxiliary platform for at leastpartially closing the opening of the lower floor when the main platformis raised, and adapted to be lowered out of the way when the mainplatform descends and closes the opening of the lower floor; fluidpressure means for raising and lowering the platforms; andspeed-reducing means interconnecting the platforms and providing duringmovement of the main platform between floors, for the movement of theauxiliary platform a substantially less distance to its raised andlowered position, said speed-reducing means comprising a' set of spacedracks carried by eachlof the platforms, pinions meshing with the racksof each set and carried by stationary supporting structure, and meansconnecting the pinions of one platform with'the pinions of the otherplatforms and providing for synchronous rotation thereof.

6. In elevator apparatus, the combination with a pair ofvertically-spaced floors having vertically-aligned openings; of a mainelevator platform adapted to be raised and lowered to fit within theopenings and thereby lie flush with their respective floors tofacilitate loading and unloading; an auxiliary platform for atleastpartially closing the opening'of the lowerfloor when the main platformis raised, and adapted to be lowered out of the way when the mainplatform descends and closesthe opening of the lower floor; a source offluid under pressure; fluid motors connected to the source and to theplatforms for raising and lowering the latter; a single means forcontrolling the flowv of fluid to and from the motors of both platforms;and speed-reducing means connecting the platforms and providing duringmovement of the main platform between floors, for the movement of theauxiliary platform a substantially less distance to its raised and lowered position.

'7. In elevator apparatus, the combination of a movable main platform; amovable auxiliary platform; stationary supporting structure; and speedreducing means connecting the two platforms whereby for movement of themain platform a certain distance, the auxiliary platform moves aproportionately smaller distance; said speed-reducing means comprising arack carried by the main platform, a rack carried by the auxiliaryplatform," a pinion carried by the supporting structure and meshing withthe rack of,

the main platform, a second pinion carried by the supporting structureand meshing with the rack of the auxiliary platform, and meansconnecting the two pinions for synchronous rotation.

8. In elevator apparatus, the combination of a movable main platform; amovable auxiliary platform; stationary supporting structure; and

speed-reducing means connecting the two platforms whereby for movementof the main plat-" form ,a certain distance, the auxiliary platformmoves a proportionately smaller distance; said speed-reducing meanscomprising a plurality of

